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The Tale of the Tarot
Melanie Simpson Mystery Series Book One
DJ Schneider
2022 Honorable Mention
310 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Kim Anisi for Readers' Favorite
Russian spies, cover-up stories, alien visits, alien artifacts, a teenage romance, and tarot cards are only some of the elements in The Tale of the Tarot by DJ Schneider. Mel, the protagonist, is only 15 years old and already had to deal with more than other teenagers. Not only has her dad been killed by a Russian spy because Russia wants to get their hands on some alien debris in her dad's possession, but she now is the one who needs to keep the material out of the wrong hands. In addition, a letter from her dad talks about another mystery. Mel makes a new friend, but also a new enemy. She learns that her own life is somehow connected to the stars. She and her friends want to find answers, but what can teenagers possibly do against the power of Russia and its government? It does not help that Mel's mother seems to lose her sanity, and her new caretaker seems to have more than just 'caring' in mind.
The Tale of the Tarot is book one in the Melanie Simpson Mystery Series by DJ Schneider and I am glad to know book one is not the end because the last few pages leave you with quite the cliffhanger! I found it quite interesting how characters were changing their attitudes within the story, i.e. how one went from some sort of friend to betrayer and then to a helper (can't say much more to avoid spoilers). You could never be sure who would be on which side and this added to the excitement factor. I also loved that the story takes place in an era of toll calls and letters. Mel's story would be so very different if it was set in a more modern time. All the characters were interesting and believable. The story felt authentic, by which I mean that it all made sense and you could imagine something like it happening. There were so many little details that all came together to create a fantastic story.
Russian spies, cover-up stories, alien visits, alien artifacts, a teenage romance, and tarot cards are only some of the elements in The Tale of the Tarot by DJ Schneider. Mel, the protagonist, is only 15 years old and already had to deal with more than other teenagers. Not only has her dad been killed by a Russian spy because Russia wants to get their hands on some alien debris in her dad's possession, but she now is the one who needs to keep the material out of the wrong hands. In addition, a letter from her dad talks about another mystery. Mel makes a new friend, but also a new enemy. She learns that her own life is somehow connected to the stars. She and her friends want to find answers, but what can teenagers possibly do against the power of Russia and its government? It does not help that Mel's mother seems to lose her sanity, and her new caretaker seems to have more than just 'caring' in mind.
The Tale of the Tarot is book one in the Melanie Simpson Mystery Series by DJ Schneider and I am glad to know book one is not the end because the last few pages leave you with quite the cliffhanger! I found it quite interesting how characters were changing their attitudes within the story, i.e. how one went from some sort of friend to betrayer and then to a helper (can't say much more to avoid spoilers). You could never be sure who would be on which side and this added to the excitement factor. I also loved that the story takes place in an era of toll calls and letters. Mel's story would be so very different if it was set in a more modern time. All the characters were interesting and believable. The story felt authentic, by which I mean that it all made sense and you could imagine something like it happening. There were so many little details that all came together to create a fantastic story.
Recommend this book:
A Rule of Life
Patricia Brandon
2022 Bronze Medal
324 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite
A Rule of Life is a coming-of-age novel by Patricia Brandon. Tricia Grimball feels the beckoning call of the unknown and seeks out a life different from her usual predictable one. For the summer, she goes to a camp for girls in the mountains of western North Carolina and works as a camp counselor. In a visceral place where risk and fear meet, Tricia hears about a strange kidnapping and a man named Chester being killed. This is also the first time she hears about local folklore, the ‘Sin Eater’, someone who eats the sins of a person who dies before they can ask for forgiveness. He takes them on himself, so the dead can go on to Heaven. Little does Tricia know that these incidents would lead her into an unexpected, mystery-riddled adventure!
A Rule of Life is set in the historical era of 1919, North Carolina. Patricia Brandon has created a steady-paced novel that kept me in suspense from start to finish. I was as intrigued as Tricia when she learned about the story of the Sin Eater from Otha. I love how Brandon has created an air of mystery from the very first chapter and kept my attention right to the end of this tale. Tricia Grimball’s time in the mountains of western North Carolina is a far cry from her usual, predictable life and I followed her adventures with great anticipation! This tale is more than just a mystery; it is also a tale of trials and tribulations, of friendships formed and sacrifices made. This highly interesting novel is easy to visualize and I felt the story come alive as I got deeper into the plot. Overall, this was an enjoyable and thrilling read. Every chapter left me wanting more! Great work!
A Rule of Life is a coming-of-age novel by Patricia Brandon. Tricia Grimball feels the beckoning call of the unknown and seeks out a life different from her usual predictable one. For the summer, she goes to a camp for girls in the mountains of western North Carolina and works as a camp counselor. In a visceral place where risk and fear meet, Tricia hears about a strange kidnapping and a man named Chester being killed. This is also the first time she hears about local folklore, the ‘Sin Eater’, someone who eats the sins of a person who dies before they can ask for forgiveness. He takes them on himself, so the dead can go on to Heaven. Little does Tricia know that these incidents would lead her into an unexpected, mystery-riddled adventure!
A Rule of Life is set in the historical era of 1919, North Carolina. Patricia Brandon has created a steady-paced novel that kept me in suspense from start to finish. I was as intrigued as Tricia when she learned about the story of the Sin Eater from Otha. I love how Brandon has created an air of mystery from the very first chapter and kept my attention right to the end of this tale. Tricia Grimball’s time in the mountains of western North Carolina is a far cry from her usual, predictable life and I followed her adventures with great anticipation! This tale is more than just a mystery; it is also a tale of trials and tribulations, of friendships formed and sacrifices made. This highly interesting novel is easy to visualize and I felt the story come alive as I got deeper into the plot. Overall, this was an enjoyable and thrilling read. Every chapter left me wanting more! Great work!
Recommend this book:
 by B.T. Polcari is the first book in a new series. After acquiring an artifact, Sara Donovan finds herself in a whole lot of trouble. When she bought an Egyptian funerary mask, she never expected that it would land her on the trail of antique smugglers or lead to mysterious callers that won't leave h...){kind=link}
Against My Better Judgment
Mauzzy & Me Mystery
B T Polcari
2022 Silver Medal
298 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
Against My Better Judgment (Mauzzy & Me Mystery) by B.T. Polcari is the first book in a new series. After acquiring an artifact, Sara Donovan finds herself in a whole lot of trouble. When she bought an Egyptian funerary mask, she never expected that it would land her on the trail of antique smugglers or lead to mysterious callers that won't leave her alone. She should have plenty to occupy her, such as studying, but she can't get her mind off proving her theory by showing everyone that her souvenir is real and was stolen. When a handsome stranger moves in next door, everything takes an unexpected turn and she gains a surprising partner as she takes it upon herself to investigate.
B.T. Polcari excels at creating a tone that makes you want to be friends with Sara, who is a great choice for an amateur sleuth as she likes to do things her way and considers herself passionate (rather than how others describe her as hardheaded and stubborn). Her internal commentary is brilliant and makes you want to see what she's going to get into. The story is charming, with the relationship between her and her dog Mauzzy being a sweet highlight. While Sara adds humor to the mystery, Mauzzy is a wonderful source of comic relief and is a companion that she can constantly confide in, adding a tone of canine-partner-in-crime to the mystery. Elements of flirty romance are woven throughout her investigation as she gets to know the handsome teaching assistant next door. Against My Better Judgment has a delightfully opinionated sleuth with writing that establishes her attitude from the first line, a charm that will keep you smiling all the way through, and a mystery that will make you want to read the next book.
Against My Better Judgment (Mauzzy & Me Mystery) by B.T. Polcari is the first book in a new series. After acquiring an artifact, Sara Donovan finds herself in a whole lot of trouble. When she bought an Egyptian funerary mask, she never expected that it would land her on the trail of antique smugglers or lead to mysterious callers that won't leave her alone. She should have plenty to occupy her, such as studying, but she can't get her mind off proving her theory by showing everyone that her souvenir is real and was stolen. When a handsome stranger moves in next door, everything takes an unexpected turn and she gains a surprising partner as she takes it upon herself to investigate.
B.T. Polcari excels at creating a tone that makes you want to be friends with Sara, who is a great choice for an amateur sleuth as she likes to do things her way and considers herself passionate (rather than how others describe her as hardheaded and stubborn). Her internal commentary is brilliant and makes you want to see what she's going to get into. The story is charming, with the relationship between her and her dog Mauzzy being a sweet highlight. While Sara adds humor to the mystery, Mauzzy is a wonderful source of comic relief and is a companion that she can constantly confide in, adding a tone of canine-partner-in-crime to the mystery. Elements of flirty romance are woven throughout her investigation as she gets to know the handsome teaching assistant next door. Against My Better Judgment has a delightfully opinionated sleuth with writing that establishes her attitude from the first line, a charm that will keep you smiling all the way through, and a mystery that will make you want to read the next book.
Recommend this book:
Discovery of the Five Senses
K.N. Smith
2022 Gold Medal
341 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses is a work of fiction in the action and adventure subgenres. It is aimed at young adult readers and was penned by author K. N. Smith. The book follows a group of five friends who have their senses enhanced by a mysterious power, only to then be thrust into a fight for the future of the world. As they struggle to understand their new powers, they are forced to deal with mysterious creatures whose grand plans for mankind may be too big for them to stop, their whole worldview is challenged by their new powers.
Discovery of the Five Senses was an exciting and dynamic coming of age story which expertly uses the premise of enhanced senses to underpin the traditional mechanics of such tales with the boys' perception of the world literally expanding throughout the story. The cleverness of the premise is fully utilized by K. N. Smith whose gorgeous prose and descriptive writing sees the scenes in which their senses reach out into the world to tell them something new turn into an enchanting description of the familiar through new eyes. The craftsmanship of the storytelling is excellent and not an ounce of potential goes to waste, with the villainous Druth creating a perfect threat for the protagonists as they learn to fight together. The plot is a veritable rollercoaster of adventure, the characters are wonderfully realized, the world of the story is pitch-perfect in its conception and description, and at the end of the tale, you’ll be looking at your own world with fresh eyes.
The Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses is a work of fiction in the action and adventure subgenres. It is aimed at young adult readers and was penned by author K. N. Smith. The book follows a group of five friends who have their senses enhanced by a mysterious power, only to then be thrust into a fight for the future of the world. As they struggle to understand their new powers, they are forced to deal with mysterious creatures whose grand plans for mankind may be too big for them to stop, their whole worldview is challenged by their new powers.
Discovery of the Five Senses was an exciting and dynamic coming of age story which expertly uses the premise of enhanced senses to underpin the traditional mechanics of such tales with the boys' perception of the world literally expanding throughout the story. The cleverness of the premise is fully utilized by K. N. Smith whose gorgeous prose and descriptive writing sees the scenes in which their senses reach out into the world to tell them something new turn into an enchanting description of the familiar through new eyes. The craftsmanship of the storytelling is excellent and not an ounce of potential goes to waste, with the villainous Druth creating a perfect threat for the protagonists as they learn to fight together. The plot is a veritable rollercoaster of adventure, the characters are wonderfully realized, the world of the story is pitch-perfect in its conception and description, and at the end of the tale, you’ll be looking at your own world with fresh eyes.
Recommend this book:
Secret Storm
Edith Lee Chestnut
2021 Finalist
235 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
A young woman's past and present coincide in the fascinating mystery novel, Secret Storm by Edith Lee Chestnut. Callie lost her mother in a horrible accident when she was three years old. Despite her motherless state, Callie leads a typical life consisting of her family and close friend, Andy. When she is thirteen, two life-changing things happen. Callie learns the details surrounding the discovery of her mother's body, and Devin, a dark and mysterious high school senior, comes to town. A couple of years later, Andy moves to another town, leaving her to finish high school alone. Despite Andy's warnings against him, Callie starts spending time with Devin. Right before she leaves for college, Andy's concerns prove to be correct, and a shocking incident involving Devin shatters Callie's life. Even though her great-grandmother, aunt, and father are there for her, Callie can't bring herself to face Andy with what happened. What will he say? Will Andy look at her the same way?
Traveling through a woman's life from her childhood, Secret Storm by Edith Lee Chestnut is a suspenseful and intriguing mystery novel. With a captivating storyline, engaging characters, and an unexpected twist, the story is fascinating from the very start. Beginning with the introduction to Callie, her family, and Andy, the story's pace slowly builds to a shocking conclusion. Even though Callie experiences trauma and hardships, she pulls herself up by the bootstraps and continues living. Well-written, it is an extraordinary and sensational tale that is unforgettable. Finishing on an unexpected and dramatic note, it is a stunning story that will thrill everyone who enjoys suspense novels with extraordinary characters.
A young woman's past and present coincide in the fascinating mystery novel, Secret Storm by Edith Lee Chestnut. Callie lost her mother in a horrible accident when she was three years old. Despite her motherless state, Callie leads a typical life consisting of her family and close friend, Andy. When she is thirteen, two life-changing things happen. Callie learns the details surrounding the discovery of her mother's body, and Devin, a dark and mysterious high school senior, comes to town. A couple of years later, Andy moves to another town, leaving her to finish high school alone. Despite Andy's warnings against him, Callie starts spending time with Devin. Right before she leaves for college, Andy's concerns prove to be correct, and a shocking incident involving Devin shatters Callie's life. Even though her great-grandmother, aunt, and father are there for her, Callie can't bring herself to face Andy with what happened. What will he say? Will Andy look at her the same way?
Traveling through a woman's life from her childhood, Secret Storm by Edith Lee Chestnut is a suspenseful and intriguing mystery novel. With a captivating storyline, engaging characters, and an unexpected twist, the story is fascinating from the very start. Beginning with the introduction to Callie, her family, and Andy, the story's pace slowly builds to a shocking conclusion. Even though Callie experiences trauma and hardships, she pulls herself up by the bootstraps and continues living. Well-written, it is an extraordinary and sensational tale that is unforgettable. Finishing on an unexpected and dramatic note, it is a stunning story that will thrill everyone who enjoys suspense novels with extraordinary characters.
Recommend this book:
The Coffin
The Scarry Inn, Book 2
Shirley McCann
2021 Honorable Mention
234 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Nicholus Schroeder for Readers' Favorite
The Coffin: The Scarry Inn Book 2 by Shirley McCann takes place in Arizona in the town of Frighton. Clare and her friends, Lise and Kelly, are gifted a weekend getaway at The Scarry Inn courtesy of Clare’s aunt Rita. The Scarry Inn is having a grand opening and the owners want to make the inn memorable for their first guests, so the inn hosts a murder mystery weekend: an event where a fake death is staged and the participants play at being detectives, trying to solve the staged murder. However, things don’t go according to plan, as the guests discover that there has been a real murder and the killer is still amongst them. To make matters worse, the town has just been hit by a tornado, there is neither cell reception nor power, and the killer could strike again at any moment. Will the guests survive their horrific ordeal?
The one word that best describes The Coffin is extraordinary, for it was truly a joy to read. Everything from the plot to the characters was well thought out. The plot, dare I say, is far better than most horror movies, and I absolutely love that author Shirley McCann didn’t include tropes from the horror genre such as stereotypical characters. Each of her characters is well-developed and organic, never classified into stereotypes like geek or jock and so on. Another thing that I liked about this book was how it succeeded in giving me a good scare, as there are some eerie moments where my hair really stood on end. In conclusion, I would definitely recommend The Coffin to people that are fans of the mystery genre, and also those that want to give the mystery genre a shot. This book will exceed your expectations and is well worth your time.
The Coffin: The Scarry Inn Book 2 by Shirley McCann takes place in Arizona in the town of Frighton. Clare and her friends, Lise and Kelly, are gifted a weekend getaway at The Scarry Inn courtesy of Clare’s aunt Rita. The Scarry Inn is having a grand opening and the owners want to make the inn memorable for their first guests, so the inn hosts a murder mystery weekend: an event where a fake death is staged and the participants play at being detectives, trying to solve the staged murder. However, things don’t go according to plan, as the guests discover that there has been a real murder and the killer is still amongst them. To make matters worse, the town has just been hit by a tornado, there is neither cell reception nor power, and the killer could strike again at any moment. Will the guests survive their horrific ordeal?
The one word that best describes The Coffin is extraordinary, for it was truly a joy to read. Everything from the plot to the characters was well thought out. The plot, dare I say, is far better than most horror movies, and I absolutely love that author Shirley McCann didn’t include tropes from the horror genre such as stereotypical characters. Each of her characters is well-developed and organic, never classified into stereotypes like geek or jock and so on. Another thing that I liked about this book was how it succeeded in giving me a good scare, as there are some eerie moments where my hair really stood on end. In conclusion, I would definitely recommend The Coffin to people that are fans of the mystery genre, and also those that want to give the mystery genre a shot. This book will exceed your expectations and is well worth your time.
Recommend this book:
Leaving Wishville
Mel Torrefranca
2021 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Lisa McCombs for Readers' Favorite
Benji Marino is a fourteen-year-old eighth grader at Wishville Junior High School. He has a good life. He has good friends. He has a mother who loves him exclusively. Why would he want to leave? Why did his father do just that years before, leaving an unbearable scar on the people of the grey town of Wishville? Benji had tried once before. His friends don’t understand, but Benji is determined to question the mysterious world outside Wishville. When his friend Nina predicts her own death, Benji is left with information he would rather not know. There is only one person he can tell and that person is the outcast of Wishville. Can Oliver Strickett help Benji or will he become one more nail in the eighth grader’s quickly diminishing reputation? As Benji solitarily faces his own demons, the citizens of Wishville are on constant alert to his actions.
Leaving Wishville by Mel Torrefranca exhibits intensity unique in contemporary young adult fiction. A study in literary symbolism, Leaving Wishville is the perfect addition to any middle grade/young adult library. As a former eighth-grade English teacher, I would enthusiastically incorporate Mel Torrefranca’s novel into my classroom reading list. Told in the fashion of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy, Leaving Wishville is a believable dystopian journey from greyness to a colorful destination of enlightenment. The characters are realistic and the language appropriate to the mood and variety of themes and plot twists of the story. While the majority of characters are middle grade, the overall sense of the story is mature.
Benji Marino is a fourteen-year-old eighth grader at Wishville Junior High School. He has a good life. He has good friends. He has a mother who loves him exclusively. Why would he want to leave? Why did his father do just that years before, leaving an unbearable scar on the people of the grey town of Wishville? Benji had tried once before. His friends don’t understand, but Benji is determined to question the mysterious world outside Wishville. When his friend Nina predicts her own death, Benji is left with information he would rather not know. There is only one person he can tell and that person is the outcast of Wishville. Can Oliver Strickett help Benji or will he become one more nail in the eighth grader’s quickly diminishing reputation? As Benji solitarily faces his own demons, the citizens of Wishville are on constant alert to his actions.
Leaving Wishville by Mel Torrefranca exhibits intensity unique in contemporary young adult fiction. A study in literary symbolism, Leaving Wishville is the perfect addition to any middle grade/young adult library. As a former eighth-grade English teacher, I would enthusiastically incorporate Mel Torrefranca’s novel into my classroom reading list. Told in the fashion of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy, Leaving Wishville is a believable dystopian journey from greyness to a colorful destination of enlightenment. The characters are realistic and the language appropriate to the mood and variety of themes and plot twists of the story. While the majority of characters are middle grade, the overall sense of the story is mature.
Recommend this book:
The Brothers Finn
Christina Hagmann
2021 Silver Medal
256 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
Held responsible for the mysterious deaths of their parents, two high school basketball stars search for answers in the thrilling urban fantasy, The Brothers Finn by Christina Hagmann. The morning after taking the basketball team to an astonishing win, Gage and Cooper Finn find their parents dead. While trying to cope with the unexpected horror, Gage receives a phone call from a stranger instructing him and Cooper to run. Responding too late to the caller's admonition, the two boys are caught, arrested, and taken to jail. However, before they can be processed and charged with murder, another stranger aids in their escape. America Now, a corporation that hunts and kills vampires, informs them their parents have been murdered by a vampire and recruits Cooper and Gage into their ranks of vampire killers. But when they find a newly turned vampire, things become a little murky. Is America Now as altruistic as they claim? Or do they have a hidden agenda?
Containing supernatural beings and those who hunt them, The Brothers Finn by Christina Hagmann is a sensational urban fantasy that is memorable. Superbly written, the story has a fascinating plot and a riveting storyline that develops to a dramatic and breathtaking climax. Filled with intrigue, the suspense gradually mounts from the first page, ultimately reaching a shocking conclusion. Charismatic and captivating, the brothers and their contrasting personalities give the story a natural feel. Stopping at the perfect place to segue into a sequel, this story makes a phenomenal first book for a breathtaking series. Young adults and everyone else who relishes vampire-based novels will love meeting Gage, Cooper, Leech, and Jamie.
Held responsible for the mysterious deaths of their parents, two high school basketball stars search for answers in the thrilling urban fantasy, The Brothers Finn by Christina Hagmann. The morning after taking the basketball team to an astonishing win, Gage and Cooper Finn find their parents dead. While trying to cope with the unexpected horror, Gage receives a phone call from a stranger instructing him and Cooper to run. Responding too late to the caller's admonition, the two boys are caught, arrested, and taken to jail. However, before they can be processed and charged with murder, another stranger aids in their escape. America Now, a corporation that hunts and kills vampires, informs them their parents have been murdered by a vampire and recruits Cooper and Gage into their ranks of vampire killers. But when they find a newly turned vampire, things become a little murky. Is America Now as altruistic as they claim? Or do they have a hidden agenda?
Containing supernatural beings and those who hunt them, The Brothers Finn by Christina Hagmann is a sensational urban fantasy that is memorable. Superbly written, the story has a fascinating plot and a riveting storyline that develops to a dramatic and breathtaking climax. Filled with intrigue, the suspense gradually mounts from the first page, ultimately reaching a shocking conclusion. Charismatic and captivating, the brothers and their contrasting personalities give the story a natural feel. Stopping at the perfect place to segue into a sequel, this story makes a phenomenal first book for a breathtaking series. Young adults and everyone else who relishes vampire-based novels will love meeting Gage, Cooper, Leech, and Jamie.
Recommend this book:
Marly in Pieces
Cathrina Constantine
2021 Gold Medal
292 Pages
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Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Marly in Pieces is a work of fiction in the crime, mystery, and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Cathrina Constantine. In an intriguing murder mystery novel intended for the mature end of the young adult reading spectrum, we find ourselves with the titular character Marly, who refuses to believe in the apparent and devastating suicide of her dear best friend Rae. The tapestry of intrigue surrounding Rae’s death leads Marly into a deep investigation of even those close to her, setting our young hero on a path that may lead her right into the hands of a murderer seeking a new victim.
Author Cathrina Constantine offers the true definition of a thriller, keeping readers firmly on the edge of their seats from cover to cover in a compelling and dynamic fashion. Whilst the sensitive themes of teen suicide are prevalent right from the novel’s earliest pages, what develops beyond this is really a tale of friendship, trust, and coping with loss, which is enormously fulfilling and intriguing to read. Marly is a well-developed hero for the task at hand, with smarts and charm and a true heart. This makes it easy to root for her and have your heart in your throat when she discovers the dangers waiting around every corner of this sharp-edged plot. This results in a deep connection to the book and, when combined with the very descriptive murder mystery atmosphere, it makes Marly in Pieces a truly un-put-down-able read. I would highly recommend it to fans of both YA and adult thriller fiction alike.
Marly in Pieces is a work of fiction in the crime, mystery, and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Cathrina Constantine. In an intriguing murder mystery novel intended for the mature end of the young adult reading spectrum, we find ourselves with the titular character Marly, who refuses to believe in the apparent and devastating suicide of her dear best friend Rae. The tapestry of intrigue surrounding Rae’s death leads Marly into a deep investigation of even those close to her, setting our young hero on a path that may lead her right into the hands of a murderer seeking a new victim.
Author Cathrina Constantine offers the true definition of a thriller, keeping readers firmly on the edge of their seats from cover to cover in a compelling and dynamic fashion. Whilst the sensitive themes of teen suicide are prevalent right from the novel’s earliest pages, what develops beyond this is really a tale of friendship, trust, and coping with loss, which is enormously fulfilling and intriguing to read. Marly is a well-developed hero for the task at hand, with smarts and charm and a true heart. This makes it easy to root for her and have your heart in your throat when she discovers the dangers waiting around every corner of this sharp-edged plot. This results in a deep connection to the book and, when combined with the very descriptive murder mystery atmosphere, it makes Marly in Pieces a truly un-put-down-able read. I would highly recommend it to fans of both YA and adult thriller fiction alike.
Recommend this book:
The Case of the Mystery of the Bells
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives, Book 6
Janice Spina
2020 Finalist
257 Pages
Check current price
Young Adult - Mystery
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
The Case of the Mystery of the Bells is the sixth book in the Davey & Derek Junior Detectives series by Janice Spina, introducing readers to exciting young characters. Davey and Derek are twelve-year-old non-identical twins who are inspired by a book bought for each of them by their parents when they were ten. They live in the quiet town of Lindon, New Hampshire and are always on the lookout for adventure. This time they are out to solve the mystery of the bells. The only problem is that it's more complex than anything they imagined. Can they put the pieces together and solve the riddle?
This is a gorgeous story and while it's the sixth book in the series, it reads well as a standalone novel. Janice Spina has a unique gift for character and it is interesting to watch the two lead characters evolve through the story. I loved how they complement each other. One is a critical thinker who quickly looks for solutions while the other has a photographic memory. The humor builds up in the dynamics of the relationship between Davey and Derek. The writing is crisp, filled with focused and well-crafted scenes, dialogues that add depth to the story and deepen character, and descriptions filled with magical realism. While this is a balanced and beautifully written story for young readers, it has great potential to keep adults glued to every page. The Case of the Mystery of the Bells is a delightful story that is both absorbing and cinematic.
The Case of the Mystery of the Bells is the sixth book in the Davey & Derek Junior Detectives series by Janice Spina, introducing readers to exciting young characters. Davey and Derek are twelve-year-old non-identical twins who are inspired by a book bought for each of them by their parents when they were ten. They live in the quiet town of Lindon, New Hampshire and are always on the lookout for adventure. This time they are out to solve the mystery of the bells. The only problem is that it's more complex than anything they imagined. Can they put the pieces together and solve the riddle?
This is a gorgeous story and while it's the sixth book in the series, it reads well as a standalone novel. Janice Spina has a unique gift for character and it is interesting to watch the two lead characters evolve through the story. I loved how they complement each other. One is a critical thinker who quickly looks for solutions while the other has a photographic memory. The humor builds up in the dynamics of the relationship between Davey and Derek. The writing is crisp, filled with focused and well-crafted scenes, dialogues that add depth to the story and deepen character, and descriptions filled with magical realism. While this is a balanced and beautifully written story for young readers, it has great potential to keep adults glued to every page. The Case of the Mystery of the Bells is a delightful story that is both absorbing and cinematic.
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